Any chance that we can kick off this contest soon? Doesn't take much to just get the contest going since it's all on the mappers to do the work anyway.

Just do it something like this:

10/15 - Kick off contest
11/5 - Deadline for initial submissions
11/6 to 11/21 - Official servers in each region will play the submitted maps. Feedback will be given on the forums by Devs & players. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
11/30 - Deadline #2 for updates with any changes
12/3 to 12/10- Updated maps are again put onto the official servers. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
12/11 - Finalists are chosen, mappers are given a chance to make any final updates
12/20 - Winners are chosen

Also, some thoughts on the process.
1) Developers should give feedback on what they liked/dislike about each map and what would make them more likely to be chosen as the winner during both the first and second play period.

2) Maps should be chosen first and foremost based on the layout. A map that's more complete should be appreciated, but honestly there are few mappers out there who are going to be able to create artwork and such to the level of the developers. Map layout and gameplay is the most important aspect and is much more difficult to hit the money on vs. theme and art design.

3) Each mapper should be limited to two submissions unless there's so little interest that you get like 6 submissions in total or something. An exception can be to mappers who create separate versions for different objective types for the the same map, for example one version is C4 and another VIP.

4) Prior America's Army maps should be excluded even if they are completely re-skinned. Those should be remade separately.

5) Objectives Types. Objectives should be designed to prevent teams in a competitive environment from just stacking one spot. In pubs obviously people will roam wherever they will and objective placement isn't as important. As such, allowable objective types should be:
a) C4 -> Requires two bomb sites. Players should be able to run from site to site within a reasonable period of time.
b) Take and hold -> There should be 3 objectives (like MOUT McKenna) in that taking two allows for victory. Urban assault style (taking 2 of 2) can allow for stalemates too easily.
c) Objective activation -> Either pipeline style or insurgent camp style, meaning take 1 of 2 objectives to win or take a series of objectives or one overriding objective to win. Taking 2 of 2 or 3 of 3 allows defenders to stack a single objective. Again, here the objectives shouldn't be too far apart. Pipeline style should have at least one objective somewhat close to the override objective so that defenders aren't spread too thin.
d) If you really want VIP and capture the flag type game modes, feel free, I just don't think they create the best/most balanced gameplay.

Frankly that all sounds great. Do you want to run it and get it going now?

I'll do it if you really want, but the Dev team will still need to give feedback and be judges!

I'd also need the ability to post in the News section. You'll also probably want to post this one Facebook. I don't mind posting on Reddit, but I deleted my Facebook account a long while ago, so I have no ability to post there (plus I think it would absolutely need to be from the Army Game account).

You joined the world's greatest army to become a graphic artist? Outstanding!

No offense, but this needs to come from the Devs. We already have a community map contest......it's called "Workshop"

Now...technically, Whippy could run it, sure. But the criterion needs to be formulated from above to avoid constant arguing and keep everyone on track.

Also, I don't agree on your initial proposition for timeline, Whiplash. A ~3 week 'time to initial submission' is too short and only benefits people who have a map already in development. It might take two weeks to get the word out! A mapper who's decided to jump in won't have time to whitebox a concept map from scratch with no time to get back up to speed.

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This has been a test of the emergency flame-fest system. Please do not adjust your set.

No offense, but this needs to come from the Devs. We already have a community map contest......it's called "Workshop"

Now...technically, Whippy could run it, sure. But the criterion needs to be formulated from above to avoid constant arguing and keep everyone on track.

Also, I don't agree on your initial proposition for timeline, Whiplash. A ~3 week 'time to initial submission' is too short and only benefits people who have a map already in development. It might take two weeks to get the word out! A mapper who's decided to jump in won't have time to whitebox a concept map from scratch with no time to get back up to speed.

Fair enough, I just was trying to fit the thing into a window so it would be complete by the end of the year. I guess you could try to extended it by another few weeks or a month.

You joined the world's greatest army to become a graphic artist? Outstanding!

No offense, but this needs to come from the Devs. We already have a community map contest......it's called "Workshop"

Now...technically, Whippy could run it, sure. But the criterion needs to be formulated from above to avoid constant arguing and keep everyone on track.

Also, I don't agree on your initial proposition for timeline, Whiplash. A ~3 week 'time to initial submission' is too short and only benefits people who have a map already in development. It might take two weeks to get the word out! A mapper who's decided to jump in won't have time to whitebox a concept map from scratch with no time to get back up to speed.

12/1 to 12/14 - Official servers in each region will play the submitted maps. Feedback will be given on the forums by Devs & players - Dev feedback should occur within the first week of the test period. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
12/15 - 12/19 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

12/20 to 1/1- Updated maps are again put onto the official servers. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
1/2 to to 1/6 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

1/7 - Finalists are chosen, mappers are given a chance to make any final updates
1/8 to 1/17 - Finalists are played on official server.
11/18 - 11/21 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

1/22 - Winners are chosen

Anything longer than three months is just dragging it out.

You joined the world's greatest army to become a graphic artist? Outstanding!

12/1 to 12/14 - Official servers in each region will play the submitted maps. Feedback will be given on the forums by Devs & players - Dev feedback should occur within the first week of the test period. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
12/15 - 12/19 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

12/20 to 1/1- Updated maps are again put onto the official servers. During this time players cannot publish any updates to their map.
1/2 to to 1/6 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

1/7 - Finalists are chosen, mappers are given a chance to make any final updates
1/8 to 1/17 - Finalists are played on official server.
11/18 - 11/21 - Mappers should publish updates to their maps during this time.

1/22 - Winners are chosen

Anything longer than three months is just dragging it out.

Hmm... questions/suggestions:

1. You're giving players a month to submit/create a map, which will then be played on the official servers. Seeing as how there's already a low player base on PC, and how few people play on these official servers -- My question is how many people you're expecting to even partake in this competition. Can you truly put 100 custom maps onto an official server?
2. With that said, what are the qualifications? What are the criteria for a map to make to the finals or semi-finals? Who decides? Why?

Personally, I think there should be a theme. Like "Halloween" or "Easter" or "Christmas". This is the first criteria. Then there's originality and creativity. Plagiarism results in an immediate disqualification. So you can't copy maps from other titles, from previous contests, or from other players -- unless otherwise stated. 3rd criteria is neatness and fluidity. You can have a map full of aesthetics which looks beautiful but plays poorly and you could have a neat and well-thought-out map which looks like a bunch of card-board cut outs. Neatness and fluidity measure how well the map plays whereas Originality and creativity measure how well the map looks.
Bonus Criteria: In addition to necessities, a map can earn a bonus for the following:
Symbolizing and/or demonstrating any or all of the Army's core values (+1 for each, up to a maximum of 7
Having an Easter Egg (6 points)
Army Trivia. ( +1 for each, up to a maximum of 6).

Based on a post I can find, the first mapping contest had somewhere between 20-30 submissions. That was when the community was at its most active. If we were to limit it to 2 per mapper, I honestly can't see more than 15-20 submissions unless some guys come out of the woodwork.

Themes? No thanks. The first three mapping contests (I think there were three? or was it two?) were all themed and the winners were all relegated to the dust bin more or less. Let people just get creative. There's an unlimited amount of things people can draw inspiration from, there's no reason to limit people. Sure, it would be fun to do a Christmas map, but you know what? If you want a Christmas map, make a Christmas map. We don't need 20 Christmas maps.

Devs ultimately choose the winning maps, it's their game, they choose the winners. Of course we can all give our input as to which maps are the best, and hopefully the Devs weigh our opinions when choosing the winners. Also, I wouldn't even limit it to one winner or three winners. If all ten maps are amazing and are deserving to be in the game, then go for it. Obviously, we would have the most talented map makers in the world in this community of such a thing happen, but you get the point.

I've stated in earlier posts, the main criteria should be playability. That means layout, gameplay flow, how well the map plays. Aesthetics are well and good, but you could have a cruddy looking map that plays amazing and an amazing looking map that plays poorly. Plus, the Dev team can take the winning map and dress it up nice once that time comes. In essence, the map should play well with a full 12v12 server, but also be able to play well in a competitive match, hence why I think objective styles should be limited.

You joined the world's greatest army to become a graphic artist? Outstanding!